Doorknob adapter assembly



Feb. 11,1969 F. HMCMEEN mL 3,427,061

DOORKNOB ADAPTER ASSEMBLY Sheet Filed Nov. 26, 1965 INVENTORS FORREST H. MCMEEN WILLIAMF. GRESHAM GEORGE R. STUCKA BY ATT'YS4 -11,1 69 ,F; H. MCMEEN Em 3, 21,

DOORKNOB ADAPTER AS SEMBLY Filed Nov. 26, 1965 Sheet 2 of 4 INVENTORS FORREST H. MCMEEN WILLIAM F- GRESHAM GEORGE R. STUCKA 5 1 7-- 1- BY vHMJ 1M I 0W5? ATT YS;

Feb. 11, 1969 MCME N ETAL 3,427,061

DOORKNOB ADAPTER ASSEMBLY 4 Sheet 3 of; 4

Filed Nov. 25, 1965 IN VENTORS MA Emu ,m. msw S M .R HG W EAR um mu Feb. 11, 1969 M MEEN ET AL 3,427,061

, DOURKNOB ADAPTER ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 26, 1965 Sheet 4 of 4 INVENTORS FORREST H. MCMEEN WILLIAM F. GRESHAM GEORGE R. STUCKA United States Patent Office 3,427,061 Patented Feb. 11, 1969 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A doorknob adapter assembly has a spindle which in-' cludes a barrel and a shank portion. The shank extends axially of the barrel contiguous to and on one side of a plane containing the longitudinal center line of the barrel. The shanks configuration and geometric orientation are such as to adapt it for cooperation with a similar shank on the other side of the plane in the operation of squaretype latches and locksets. A mounting plate is also provided to attach the assembly to a door and hold the barrel portion. The mounting plate and spindle are fixed in axial relation but the spindle is capable of rotating with respect to the plate. A doorknob is fixed to the barrel.

This invention relates to door hardware in general and more specificially is directed to a new and improved doorknob adapter assembly for square driver-type latches and locksets of simplified design which in its preferred form entirely conceals the means for assembling the parts and attaching the assembly to a door.

Certain considerations are of prime importance in the design and manufacture of door hardware and especially doorknob assembles. Economy in the manufacture is of principal importance so long as there is not a sacrifice of quality or simplicity. The appearance of the finally assembled doorknob must be neat and pleasing in appearance. Installation and removal of the doorknob and adapter assembly must be easily effected by those not having any particular skill in the art of installing latches, doorknobs and the like. Also of consideration is the feasibility of using the design as a replacement for doorknobs which have become worn, broken or unserviceable but where the latch mechanism is still serviceable.

One form of prior art type latch design included a lockset of known type having a center bushing rotated by a substantially square spindle which projected from opposite sides of the door. In some designs, the ends of the spindle were threaded to receive knobs having similarly threaded bores. A set screw on each knob engaging a flat side ofthe spindle locked the knob and spindle against relative rotation. Whie this design has been widely used in the past, it has not been completely satisfactory for several reasons, namely the cost of manufacture, the tendency for the knobs to become loose and rattle, and-the undesirable appearance of the exposed fastening means to mention a few. The present invention serves as a replacement for the above described design, as well as being usable with new door hardware including one-piece doorknobs.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a new and improved doorknob adapter assembly of simplified design which is economical to produce, and easily assembled and disassembled, requiring only a conventional screwdriver.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved doorknob adapter assembly which conceals all of the attaching components for the parts forming the assembly as well as the means for attaching the assembly to the door, thereby to enhance its ornamental appearance.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a doorknob adapter assembly in which the doorknob is easily and securely mounted to preclude looseness and rattle.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a doorknob adapter assembly in which the spindle is formed to a novel shape in a novel manner.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a doorknob adapter assembly which may be partially assembled prior to shipment with assembly to the door and installation of the doorknob quickly completed in the field.

It is a further object to provide a doorknob adapter assembly which adjusts itself to variations in door thicknesses.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when considering the drawings and accompanying specification.

' In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the components forming one embodiment of the doorknob assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the spindle shown in FIG. 1;

'FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the spindle of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a door with the spindle'and mounting plate shown in FIG. 1 assembled and installed on the door;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 4 with the doorknob installed on the spindle;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the components forming a modified form of spindle and mounting plate assembly;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 taken from the shank end after assembly;

FIG. 8 is a broken away perspective view of a modified for-m of doorknob assembly similar to that of FIG. 6 using a solid spindle;

FIG. 9 is an end elevational view of the assembly of FIG. 8 taken from the right-hand side of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the doorknob assembly of FIG. 8 taken from the spindle or left-hand side of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional View taken along the lines 11-11 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view taken generally along the lines 1212 of FIG. 5 to show the relationship of the shank to the lockset bushing;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a modified form of mounting plate and rose cover with a portion of the door on which it is mounted shown fragmentarily;

FIG. 14 is a view taken along the lines 1414 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an end elevational view of a modified form of spindle subassem'bly similar to that shown at FIGS. 9l1;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of the modified form of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken generally along the lines 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring used in the design of FIGS. 15-17;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a barrel using a modified form of key; and

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary plan view taken generally along the lines 2020 of FIG. 19.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the basic elements forming the doorknob adapter assembly are illustrated in exploded relation in the order of assembly, and include a doorknob 11, rose cover 12, key 13, U-shaped spring 14, spindle 15, washer 16, mounting plate 17, and split retainer washer 18.

The doorknob 11 consists. of the usual enlarged knob .7

portion and has an integral cylindrical shank portion 21 of reduced size relative to the knob portion 20. The cylindrical shank 21 is provided with diametrically opposed U-shaped alignment slots 22 and 23 which open axially. A pair of diametrically opposed rectangular key slots 24 and 25 are formed in the shank of the knob at right angles to the alignment slots. The keyslots 24 and 25 are disposed adjacent the outer end of the cylindrical shank portion and in the illustrated form, have the knob side of the slot positioned axially inward of a plane passing through the bottom of the axially opening alignment slots 22 and 23.

The rose cover or trim cap 12 may be shaped to any desired configuration and in the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 5 has a cylindrical portion or axial flange 26 which merges with an inwardly frusto-conical portion 27 and terminates in an inwardly rolled curl 28 to form a shank receiving bore 30. The inside diameter of the bore 30 is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the shank portion 21 on the doorknob 11, to permit free .relative rotation therebetween during operation of the doorknob.

The key 13 is formed from sheet metal material to a generally circular shape and is provided with a radial tongue 31 adapted to extend into one of the key slots 24 and 25 in the shank 21 of the spindle 15 after assembly. Disposed opposite of the tongue 31 is a spring slot 32 which has the side margins thereof received in oppositely directed notches 33 and 34 formed in the U-shaped spring 14. In this manner, the spring 14 and key 13, when installed, will remain in operative relation to each other. An opening 35 may -be formed in the center of the key to admit a tool such as a screwdriver to assist in assembly of the spring 14 and key 13 into the spindle 15. Upwardly struck tabs 38 may be formed on one leg of the U-shaped spring 14 for reception in the key slot 41 or 42 which is not occupied by the tongue 31 thus serving to restrain the spring 14 against longitudinal movement within the spindle 15.

As seen in FIGS. 15, the spindle 15 is formed from sheet metal which is stamped and rolled to the configuration shown and includes a knob mounting barrel portion 36 of generally cylindrical configuration and an integral shank portion 37 of generally channel-shaped cross section. The outside diameter of the barrel portion 36 may be controlled within defined limits by the choice of the inside diameter of the sizing Washer 16. All of the shank portion 37 is disposed on one side of a plane passing through the center axis which is also coincident with the axis of rotation.

The barrel 36 of the spindle is provided with a raised alignment lug 40 formed by striking the metal out of the cylindrical surface and is of a width so as to facilitate reception in either of the alignment slots 22 and 23 in the shank 21 of the doorknob 11. Key slots 41 and 42 are formed on opposite sides of the barrel 36 and as seen in FIG. 2 serve to permit the tongue 31 to project through one of the slots while the other slot receives the tabs 38 on the spring member 14 to hold the same against movement within the barrel 36.

An additional pair of lug openings are formed at 43 and 44 adjacent the inner end of the barrel 36 and are adapted to co-operate with the split retainer member 18 to hold the mounting plate 17 to the spindle 15. Washer 16 may be of conventional design having an inside diameter which is sized to control the outside diameter of the barrel 36, however, is of a smaller value than the diameter taken across the raised alignment lug 40 and raised stop lug 39 so that the lugs act as a stop to preclude axial movement of the washer 16 towards the knob end of the barrel. The mounting plate 17 includes a web 46 formed with a series of mounting openings of any desired shape and is bounded on the inner periphery by an axially projecting flange 47 forming a bearing to rotatably mount the spindle 15. A11 axially directed flange 48 is formed on-the outer-periphery andis of such'diameter so as to receive and retain the cylindrical portion 26 of the rose cover 12. The split retainer washer 18 is provided with a pair of inwardly projecting lugs 50 and 51 of a dimension so as to permit reception within the lug openings 43 and 44 on the barrel 36 of the spindle 15.

In FIG. 4; the spindle and mounting plate have been assembled and are shown mounted on a door which is illustrated fragmentarily in section at 52. The door 52 is of conventional design and has an opening 53 of sufficient diameter to loosely receive the utsidediameter of the splitretainer washer 18. Prior to assembly of the spindle assembly to the door, the U-shaped spring 14 and key 13 are assembled within the barrel 36 in the manner previously described. The washer 16 is previously positioned over'the barrel 36 at the manufacturers and is preeluded from movement in one direction by engagement with the lugs 39 and 40. The mounting plate 17 is placed over the barrel and-the split ring or washer 18 is mounted by snapping'the-lugs 50 and 51 into the lug openings 43 and 44. The subassembly consisting of the spindle 15 and mounting plate 17 may then be assembled to the door as shown in FIG. 4.

In mounting the spindle 15, the shank 37 is inserted into a rectangular opening 54 formed in the rotatable bushing 55 of the lockset 56. In the conventional and well known types of locksets, the openings 54 in the bushing 55 are square. As can be appreciated from the previous description, the shank 37 occupies only one-half of the opening 54 with the shank of an identical spindle filling the other half. The mounting plate may be fastened to the door 52 by screws 57 and 58 or any equivalent fastening means to complete installation of the assembled spindle 15 and mounting plate 17.

As seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 5, the rose cover is placed over cylindrical portion 21 of the knob '20 and the cylindrical shank 21 moved onto the barrel 36 of the spindle 15 with one of the slots 22 and 23 receiving the alignment lug 40. Sufiicient axial clearance exists between the door 52 and the enlarged portion 20 of the knob 11 in its finally installed position so as to permit the rose cover 12 to remain on the rearward part of the shank 21. In this manner, access may be had in front of the rose cover 12 to depress the tongue 31 on the key 13 with a screwdriver or equivalent tool while the alignment slots 22 and 23 are moved into axial alignment with the raised alignment lug 40 on the barrel. The knob may be pushed home and when fully installed as seen in FIG. 5, the tongue 31 on the key 13 pops through the opening 42 in the barrel 36 and through the opening 25 in the cylindrical portion 21 of the doorknob 11 to maintain the doorknob and spindle in assembled relation.

After installation of the knob 20, the rose cover 12 may be moved forward on the cylindrical shank 21 of the doorknob 11 until the axially projecting cylindrical portion 26 is in overlapping engagement with the flange 48 on the mounting plate 17 where it is retained in place by a detent, covering all openings in the shank 21 of the knob 11 as well as the screws mounting the doorknob assembly to the door. One preferred manner of holding the rose cover 12 to the mounting plate 17 is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. The axially directed flange 26 on the rose cover 12 is provided with an inwardly struck tab or detent which has the sheared or free end extending inwardly, beyond the inner peripheral wall 111 of the flange 26. The axially directed flange 48 on the mounting plate 17 is provided with an angulated wall portion forming a shoulder 112 disposed at an angle of about '45 with respect to the center axis of the plate. The free end of the tab 110 engages this shoulder to hold the rose cover "12 to mounting plate 17.

The flange 48 is formed in a uniform cross sectional construction around its entire circumference and accordingly additional inwardly struck tabs may be provided at spaced locations on the flange 26 of the rose cover 12. In

the preferred form, two such tabs are disposed 180 apart on the flange 26. The angularity of the shoulder 112 on the mounting plate 17 may vary between about 30 to about 60 measured relative to the center axis, with the 45 being preferred because of its ease of assembly, good holding power and yet removability without necessitating destruction of the rose cover 12. This manner of mounting the rose cover is equally usable with the mounting plates on designs described below. Rotational motion applied to the knob 11 is transmitted through the alignment lug 40 to the spindle where it will rotate the bushing 55 to unlatch the door in a well known manner. Axial movement of the doorknob 11 relative to the spindle is prevented by the tongue 31 of the key 13 extending through registering openings 42 and 25 in the spindle barrel 36 and cylindrical shank 21.

A doorknob adapter assembly of identical construction is mounted on the opposite side of the door with the shank of the spindle of such assembly projecting through the bushing 55 into the cylindrical barrel portion 36 of the assembly previously mounted. As seen in FIG. 12, the shank portions 37 of the two identical doorknob assemblies form a rectangular or square shank to fill the rectangular opening 54 in the bushing 55 making such arrangement a suitable replacement for known threaded shank designs. Any other cross sectional shape of shank may be used which will co-operate with the opening 54 in the bushing 55 in a like manner.

If desired, the tongue 31 on the key 13 may be sloped outwardly or towards the doorknob to permit depressing through a camming action with the shank 21 permitting the doorknob 11 to be merely pressed home whereby it will cam the key 13 radially inward against the force of the spring with the tongue of the key ultimately popping into the key slot 25 when it is aligned with the opening 42. As an alternative the shank may be flared slightly in the region of the key slots 24 and 25.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in the exposed perspective view of FIG. 6 including a spindle assembly indicated generally at 60 including a spindle 61, washer 62, mounting plate 63, washer 64 and T-shaped keeper 65. Washers 62 and 64 are identical to the washer 16 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The spindle 61 is similar in construction to the spindle 15 in that it is stamped from sheet metal and rolled to the shape shown to form a cylindrical barrel 66 and channel-shaped shank 67. The barrel 66 is provided with two rectangular slots 68 and 69 corresponding to the key slots 41 and 42 which serve to mount a key and spring arrangement (not shown) of an identical design to that illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. An alignment lug 40 is formed on one side of the cylindrical barrel 66 and cooperates with one of the alignment slots formed in the knob in the manner previously described.

As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner end of the barrel 66 is formed with axially opening grooves 71 and 72 having the one side thereof lying in a plane encompassing the base or web 73 of the channel-shaped spindle 67. The opposite sides of the grooves 71 and 72 are in plane encompassing the top edges of the flanges 74 and 75 on the channel-shaped spindle 66, which plane also substantially contains the center axis of the barrel 66 and coincident rotational axis of the associated knob and bushing in the latching mechanism.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is assembled by placing washer 62 over the barrel 66 of the spindle 61 until it engages the raised alignment lug 70. The mounting plate 63 and Washer 64 are then assembled in that order and the T-shaped keeper 65 is placed with the cross part 76 of the key in the grooves 71 and 72. The upstanding part or base 77 of the T-shaped keeper 65 is received in the groove defined by the web 73 and flanges 74 and 75 of the channel-shaped spindle 67. The cross part 76 of the T-shaped keeper 65 is of greater dimension than the outside diameter of the barrel 66 so when installed it projects radially outward to overlap the washer 64 to retain the mounting plate 63 on the spindle.

The parts forming the spindle assembly 60 of FIGS. 6 and 7 may be shipped as illustrated, with final assembly to occur in the field. After the spindle assembly is inserted in the bushing in the latch and a co-operating spindle assembly 60 installed in the opposite side of the door, the latch bushing will serve to retain the inner ends of the T-shaped keepers of each assembly assembled to the associated spindle 61.

It is to be appreciated that the spindle assembly shown in FIG. 6 is of greatly simplified design, and may be readily manufactured inasmuch as the parts are formed from sheet material formed by known methods to the configuration shown. Assembly of a doorknob and rose plate to the spindle assembly 60 is etfected in the manner described in conjunction with FIG. 5

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8 in assembled cutaway form, and includes a spindle assembly 80 having a barrel portion 81 and "a shank portion 82. The barrel portion 81 is of cylindrical configuration and receives a circular mounting plate 83 bounded on opposite sides by a washer 84 and a split washer 85 having lugs 86 and 87 received in suitable openings formed in the barrel 81. The mounting plate 83 and washers 84 and 85 correspond to the washer 16, mounting plate 17, and split retainer 18 illustrated in FIG. 1, and are in the same relationship with the barrel 81 of the spindle assembly. The spindle assembly 80 is provided with a key 88 which is biased into position by a U-shaped spring 89 both of which are identical in design and function to the key 13 and spring 14 of FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.

The barrel portion 81 of the spindle assembly 80 differs from the previous designs in that the spindle shank 82 is formed separately from the barrel 81 with the two joined during the rolling operation which forms the cylindrical barrel 81. The shank 82 is provided with an enlarged mounting portion formed by arms 90 and 91 projecting from the main body of the shank 82. The arms 90 and 91 are provided with radially projecting lugs 92 and 93 respectively at their rearward end which, as seen in FIGS. 8-11, extend through the barrel 81 and form alignment lugs to receive alignment slots on the doorknob when installed. As seen in FIGS. 8-11, lug portions 94 and 95 are formed at the forward end and have an overall dimension approximating the outside diameter of the barrel portion 81. In this manner, the washer 84 and mounting plate 83 may be easily slipped over the outside of the barrel portion 81 and retained by the split Washer 85. The arms 90 and 91 as seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, are bent upwardly from the plane of the shank 82 so as to dispose the main body of the shank 82 adjacent the center axis of the barrel 81 on the axis of rotation indicated at 96.

A co-operating shank, carried on a spindle assembly disposed on the opposite side of the door, co-operates with the shank 82 to fill the latch bushing in the manner described. A groove or guide 97 is formed between the rearward lugs 92 and 93 and co-operates with straight side portions formed on the key 88 to guide the same on the upward and downward movement experienced during assembly and dis-assembly of the knob to the spindle assembly. This also guards against the key shifting during impacts occurring such as slamming the door, pulling on the door knob or the like.

A further modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15-18. The basic barrel and spindle design is similar to that shown in FIGS. 8-11 in that the shank and barrel are formed separately. The mounting plate is identical in construction to the mounting plates previously described having an outer peripheral axially directed flange 121 and an inner flange 122 disposed around a barrel 123. The shank 124 is provided with laterally projecting arms 125 and 126 having radially projecting rearward lugs 127 and 128 respectively, and forward lugs 129 and 130 respectively. Theforward lugs 129 and 130 have a diametric dimension which closely approximates that of the outside dimeter of the barrel 123 permitting the mounting plate 120 to be easily slipped over the same. The rearward lugs 127 and 128 are of greater diameter than that of the barrel 123 so they project outwardly to form a stop for the sizing washer 131 as well as a drive for transmitting torque from the doorknob. Since the torque is transmitted from the slots in the shank of the knob directly to the spindle, the barrel 123 may be formed of lightweight sheet material, having only the necessary strength to telescopically support the doorknob.

The shank 124 of the spindle is assembled to the barrel 123 in the manner of the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11. The barrel123 is stamped, the necessary openings (127 128', 129, and 130') punched and then it is rolled to a generally cylindrical shape having a longitudinal seam. The lugs 127-130 on the shank 124 are then positioned in their respective openings 127', 128, 129, and 130 by spreading the barrel, laterally inserting the shank 124 and then rolling the barrel to the closed position to clamp the lugs in the openings. A sizing washer 131 is slipped over the barrel into abutment with the rearward lugs 127 and 128.

As seen in FIGS. 16 and 17, the inner end of the shank 124 is provided with a radially directed guide slot 132 which is radially aligned with diametrically opposed openings 133 and 134 in the barrel 123. The opening 134 is of smaller dimension than the opening 133 to permit a rectangular key 135 having a tongue 136 of reduced dimension to be inserted laterally through the larger opening 133. The guide slot 132 not only assists in positioning the tongue 136 into the opening 134 but also serves to hold the key 135 properly located when force is applied to the doorknob or the door is slammed or the like.

A generally U-s'haped spring 140 is shown in the enlarged perspective view of FIG. 18. The spring 140 has an enlarged base portion 141 forming one leg of the U which is provided with an upwardly struck tab 142. The opposite leg 143 of the U is of smaller transverse width terminating in an enlarged end portion 144. As seen in FIGS. and 16, the enlarged base 141 of the spring 140 is positioned so that the upwardly struck tab 142 is located in the larger opening 133. The smaller leg 143 of the spring 140 is positioned in a channel-shaped slot 145 formed on the key 135 opposite the end having the tongue 136. With a spring of this type, the key 135 may be laterally inserted by a suitable machine and thereafter the spring machine installed by pushing it axially into the barrel until the enlarged end portion 144 on the leg 143 engages the key 135 at which time the tab 142 will snap in the opening 133 which serves to preclude movement of the spring in the opposite direction. The enlarged end 144 on the spring 140 not only holds the key 135 in guiding engagement with the guide slot 132 in the spindle 124 but also precludes any movement in the opposite direction.

In FIG. 15, a modified means for holding the mounting plate 120 on the shank end of the barrel is shown. Rectangular slots are formed in the barrel 123 (only one shown in dotted lines in FIG. 17 at 150) in the manner shown in connection with the barrels in previous FIGS. 1-5 and 8-11. In preceding designs, these slots were for reception of lugs on a co-operating split washer, corresponding to slots 86 and 87 shown in FIG. 8. In FIGS. 15-18, however, this split washer is omitted and an endless washer 151 is placed over the barrel 123 after the mounting plate has been assembled. Then, the barrel in the region of the slots is deformed radially outwardly as shown as 152 and 153 to an overall diametric dimension which exceeds the inside diameter of the washer 151 locking the mounting plate to the barrel. Deformation of the barrel at the end as at 152 and 153 may be quickly accomplished by known types of manufacturing equipment forming a subassembly consisting of the spindle and mounting plate which is ready for attaching to the door. Installation of the doorknob and rose cover completes installation.

A modified form of key is illustrated in the fragmentary views of FIGS. 19 and 20. A fragmentary portion of a barrel of the type described previously, is provided with a T-shaped opening consisting of a cross portion 161 and longitudinal port-ion 162. In the opening is positioned a T-shaped key 163 having an upwardly projecting tongue 164 and a rearwardly sloped cam surface 165 positioned in the cross portion 161 and longitudinal portions 162, respectively. The tongue 164 on the key is defined by shoulders 166 and 167 which project outwardly to engage the inner circumference of the barrel thereby limiting the outward movement of the key 163. A U-shaped spring of the type described in the previous embodiments may be used with the T- shapedkey, and in the preferred embodiment the key will be inserted and co-operate with a spring in the manner described for the key and spring of FIGS. 15 and 16.

A T-shaped opening is provided in the shank of a doorknob of the type shown in FIG. 1 in lieu of the rectangular key openings 24 and 25. After the mounting plate has been attached to the door and the rose cover installed, the doorknob may be mounted by merely pushing the same forward whereby the shank of the knob will cause the key 163 to depress inasmuch as it acts against the cam surface 165. When the T-shaped opening in the shank of the doorknob is aligned With the T- shaped key 163, the tongue 164 will pop into the opening to lock the doorknob to the panel 160.

After a consideration of the foregoing embodiments of the invention, it becomes apparent that the present design may be inexpensively formed without a sacrifice of quality. Since the spindle, key and spring may be assembled at the factory in all designs without increasing the bulk for shipment, the remaining assembly steps are easily performed with only a screwdriver by those with little or no skill in doorknob installation. If desired, all embodiments except that of FIGS. 6 and 7 may have the mounting plate and associated spindle assembled at the factory by deforming the barrel as described in connection with FIG. 15. This leaves only the rose cover and knob to be installed after the spindle assembly has been mounted on the door by suitable fasteners. With a cam-shaped key, the knob is easily and quickly installed.

The doorknob adapter assemblies of the present inven-v tion serve as replacements for the old-fashioned threaded spindle and knob constructions which have set screws to hold the two assembled. The present design presents a much neater appearance in that all fastening means for joining the parts together are concealed. Further, the usual expense of threading the shank may be omitted as Well as the time in the field to join threaded parts. In the present design the doorknob will not become loose from the door since torque is transmitted to the spindle assembly at a greater distance from the rotational axis. The length of the inner flange 47 on the mounting plate can be made to any desired length to provide a relatively longer bearing surface to further increase stability and service life.

Upon a consideration of the foregoing, it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the inven tion embodied herein. Therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A doorknob adapter assembly comprising:

(a) a spindle, said spindle including (i) a barrel portion having a central axis,

(ii) a shank portion projecting from said barrel portion and being disposed along one side of and contiguous with a plane containing said axis, the shank portion having a generally rectangular and constant cross section throughout its length such that it is capable of cooperating with a similar shank portion on the opposite side of the plane in operating square driver-type latches and locksets;

(b) a mounting plate adapted for fastening to a door and having a central opening, said barrel portion being received in said central opening;

(c) means to prevent axial movement between said mounting plate and said barrel portion while permitting relative rotation therebetween;

(d) a doorknob means having a hollow shank portion telescopically received over said barrel portion; and

(e) means in said barrel portion to hold said doorknob against axial and rotational movement relative thereto.

2. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein said shank is provided with laterally projecting arms having lug portions thereon, said lug portions being received in openings formed in said barrel portion to join said shank to said barrel portion.

3. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein said shank is formed integral with said barrel portion.

4. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein said spindle shank is provided with a longitudinal groove and said means to prevent axial movement between said mounting plate and said barrel portion includes a generally T-shaped keeper member having the upstanding portion thereof disposed in said longitudinal groove in said shank with the cross portion of said T-shaped keeper positioned in grooves formed in said barrel portion and projecting beyond an outer portion of said barrel portion.

5. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein a rose cover is positioned over said doorknob shank portion and retained by said mounting plate in a position to cover said means holding said doorknob to said barrel so as to conceal all parts joining the mounting plate to the door and the doorknob to the spindle.

6. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein said means to prevent axial movement between said mounting plate and said barrel portion includes upstanding alignment lugs on one side thereof which also cooperate with alignment slots formed in said doorknob to preclude rotation relative to said barrel portion, and a split retainer washer on the opposite side of said mounting plate having a part thereof received in an opening formed in said barrel portion.

7. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 1 wherein said means to prevent axial movement between said mounting plate and said barrel portion includes upstanding lugs on one side thereof to abut a barrel sizing washer which abuts said mounting plate, lug openings formed in said barrel on the opposite side and a portion of said barrel being deformed radially outwardly adjacent each of said lug openings.

*8. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 2 wherein said means to hold said doorknob against axial and rtational movement relative to said barrel comprises spring biased key means projecting through aligned key openings in said barrel and said doorknob, and axially opening slots formed on said doorknob are interfitted with said lug portions on said laterally projecting arms to prevent rotation of said doorknob relative to said barrel.

9. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 5 wherein said rose cover is retained to said mounting plate by means of an inwardly struck tab formed on an axially extending flange engaging an an gulated shoulder formed on said mounting plate.

16. The door-knob adapter assembly claimed in claim 1 wherein the doorknob holding means includes lug means projecting outwardly from said barrel portion to limit the axial movement of said mounting plate in a direction away from said shank portion, said lug means being interfitted into slots formed in the doorknob.

11. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 1%] wherein said means to prevent axial movement between said mounting plate and said barrel portion includes a split washer having inturned lugs thereof interfitted in slots formed in said barrel portion thereby to limit the longitudinal movement of said mounting plate towards said shank portion.

12. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 10 wherein said spindle shank portion is formed with a longitudinal groove and said barrel portion has diametrically opposed slots formed at an end thereof adjacent said spindle shank portion, and said means to prevent axial movement between said mounting plate and said barrel portion includes a T-shaped keeper positioned in said diametrically opposed slots and said groove and projecting outwardly of said groove beyond said barrel portion to preclude axial movement of said mounting plate.

13. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 10 werein said spindle shank portion is provided with laterally projecting arms having lug portions thereon, said laterally projecting arms being positioned in said barrel portion said lug portions being received in openings formed it said barrel portion and projecting outwardly beyond saic' barrel portion to form said lug means on said barrel portion limiting the axial movement of said mounting plate 14. The doorknob adapter assembly of clam 13 where in a guide slot is formed in said shank portion and twc key openings are formed in said barrel portion, one oi said key openings being smaller than the other with botl key openings being aligned with said guide slot, and 2 laterally insertable key is received in said guide slot anc' has a tongue portion projecting through the smaller 0: said openings and spring means biases said key towarc the smaller of said openings whereby said tongue will bt received in a key opening in the doorknob shank.

15. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 14 where in said key is provided with a cam surface permitting i to be automatically depressed by said doorknob shanl during installation.

16. The doorknob adapter assembly of claim 10 where in the means to prevent axial movement between sair mounting plate and said panel portion includes at leas one slot formed in said barrel adjacent the shank end, sail slot being deformed radially outwardly thereby preclud ing withdrawal of said mounting plate over said shanl end of said barrel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 186,018 1/1877 Ransom 292-35 2,615,745 10/ 1952 Young 29234 2,779,184- .1/ 1957 Ellis 29235 3,128,115 4/ 1964 Patriquin 292-35' MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD J. McCARTHY, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 292357, 35 8 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,427,061 February 11, 1969 Forrest H. McMeen et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, line 50, "panel" should read barrel Signed and sealed this 7th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

